Directed by Thierry Klifa, The Richest Woman in the World is a drama-comedy featuring stellar performances by Isabelle Huppert, Marina Foïs, and Laurent Lafitte. Based on real-life events that made headlines in France, this film delves into the intertwined themes of power, inheritance, and personal relationships within a wealthy family. After its theatrical release in October 2025, the movie is now available for purchase via VOD starting February 26, 2026, followed by rental options beginning March 4, 2026.
The story follows an heiress with a vast fortune, surrounded by close associates whose motives are not always clear. Amid admiration, envy, and ambition, the relationships around her gradually turn into a battleground for power struggles and manipulation.
The encounter between the billionaire and an ambitious writer-photographer upsets this delicate balance. Circling them are a wary young woman, a discreet yet attentive butler, and several members of high society. Gradually, family secrets and financial stakes drive a confrontation in which everyone fights to protect their own interests.
The film references certain aspects of the Bettencourt case, which sparked widespread media controversy in France. Thierry Klifa focuses less on the sensational details and more on how wealthy family dynasties can become battlegrounds for internal conflicts and power plays.
The cast features Isabelle Huppert in the lead role of Marianne Farrère, the heiress at the center of the story. Marina Foïs plays her daughter, caught in a tense family conflict, while Laurent Lafitte brings to life a charismatic artist who dramatically disrupts the family dynamics. The screenplay, co-written by Thierry Klifa and Cédric Anger, blends psychological drama with sharp social observation.
Unveiled out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the movie continues the tradition of French cinema delving into familial tensions and power dynamics. It also made a splash during awards season, notably earning Laurent Lafitte the César Award for Best Actor.
With its themes revolving around wealth, inheritance, and personal rivalries, The Richest Woman in the World appeals to fans of psychological dramas and stories based on true events. Viewers who enjoyed Paul Verhoeven’s Elle or Hirokazu Kore-eda’s The Truth might find familiar themes here.
The Richest Woman in the World
Film | 2025
In theaters: October 29, 2025
Available for purchase on VOD starting February 26, 2026, and for rental from March 4, 2026
Drama-comedy | Runtime: 2h03
Directed by Thierry Klifa | Starring Isabelle Huppert, Marina Foïs, Laurent Lafitte
Original title: The Richest Woman in the World
Country: France
Blending family drama with social commentary, the film dives into the tensions that arise from immense wealth. Through its characters and their maneuvering, The Richest Woman in the World examines the complicated dynamics between power, money, and family bonds.
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